Chapter Seventeen: Flowers and Fairy Lights
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The eyes of babies were an interesting phenomena. Some are born with brown eyes and they never change. Others, their irises are a swirl of purples, blues, and grays at birth— like looking into the cosmos— and over time they settle on their final color. When the boys were six months old, faired headed Takashi's purplish blue enigmas had darkened into the same shade of onyx as his father's with a silver limbal ring outlining his irises. The white-blond hair of his birth darkened to a dark honey like the shade of his grandmother Mebuki and godmother Tsunade's hair. Raven-haired Myoken's gray eyes at birth ended up being jade like his mother's but with the same silver ring as his brother. It was a beautiful miracle — Sakura and Sasuke's sons showing a blend of both their traits and while looking nothing alike, having such similarly beautiful gazes.
It was with a heavy heart as always, Sakura handed her sons to the daycare before she started her shift at the hospital. They didn't cry, probably because big sister Sarada was there — a protective guardian, as well as their ghostly uncle, hovering nearby, speaking words of comfort. But those beautiful eyes — onyx and jade with silver lining stared at her with longing.
"They'll be fine, Director Uchiha." The daycare worker smiled in reassurance. "And if you want to check on them anytime during the day, we're only downstairs from your office and the surgical floor."
"I know," Sakura said. She rolled back her shoulders. She needed to switch gears from doting mother to esteemed Surgeon and Hospital Director. She was a pillar of the community and more people relied on her than just her children.
"I'll let you know if they get upset," Itachi added. "They'll be properly entertained. The staff sing songs, dance, and read them books. And if they get upset, then Uncle Itachi will dance and sing songs and make a general fool of myself for their entertainment."
A wan smile touched Sakura's lips, imagining the stoic Uchiha doing just that. "I'll be back at lunch." She reached over and tossed her sons' hair and gave Sarada a hug. "Be good."
She hurried to her office to change into her white coat before starting her rounds. Sometimes, she regretted asking to come back to work after just four months leave, but it was too hard to be home all the time without Sasuke there. Shizune had been an excellent house guest and Itachi kept her from being lonely — but they weren't her husband. No one could replace that brooding, sweet, stoic partner of hers.
Whatever melancholic thoughts started to crowd her mind vanished in a flash. Sitting in the middle of her desk was a colorful arrangement of summer flowers — pink peonies, blue delphinium, purple hydrangeas, scarlet dahlias, and white daisies. The deliveries weren't a surprise anymore —the Yamanaka flower shop took pride in their arrangements and Sasuke had spared no expense. However, to prevent her from having to store dozens of old flower vases — Ino had arranged to alternate between five different vases. When the flowers started to wilt, Ino herself or Sai would come to pick up the arrangement. Today's was the pearlized pink rounded vase.
And while the flowers were appreciated, it was the handwritten note Sasuke had painstakingly written his last night in Konoha that made the gesture truly special.
"Dearest Sakura,
I hope you liked the flowers. I miss having you by my side— my trusted and beloved partner in missions and in life. I can only imagine by the time you read this, I'll be miserable without you. I will persevere, but know that I would certainly prefer a quiet night at home, laying in bed, staring at the ceiling — maybe scratching behind the ears of one of the cats, talking non-sense with you. I never know what to talk about, but you always seem to find something to discuss. Regardless of the distance, we are always connected. I cannot wait to meet the boys and to see our sweet daughter again. Give the cats an extra treat for me.
Always, Sasuke."
Sakura read it again and then hugged the card close to her chest. How long did it take him to write this? How many more had he written? She set the note inside her desk drawer, along with the other two that had been delivered to her office since she returned to work a couple of months ago. She then pulled out the journal she'd started. She couldn't write him back directly, but she could put her feelings into words — he could read her response when he came home.
She'd also used this journal to document the children's milestones, small events that happened around the village, different stories Itachi told her, things she learned about from her newly discovered lineage.
Turning to a fresh page, she began.
"My Dearest Husband, Sasuke-kun,
I love the flowers. Your words continue to move me. While you do not speak much, when you do, your words are carefully chosen and deeply cherished. I did not expect to hear from you today, but now my heart swells thinking of the long nights we've held each other.
The kids are coming along nicely. Sarada hasn't set anything else on fire, we've worked to help her control her emotions so she doesn't accidentally burn the house down. The boys are absolutely precious — and their eyes! I've never seen eyes so beautiful. You'll be just as mesmerized as I am.
I tell them stories about their papa, show your picture. I'm grateful you left the framed photo collage, because our family portrait is what Sarada accidentally incinerated. Stories and a photo pale in comparison to actually seeing you and spending time with you.
I hope you'll like the renovations we've done to the neighborhood. I love you and appreciate all you do for all of us. I am so proud of you!
Forever yours, Sakura."
She closed the journal and stored it back in her desk. There was a hesitant knock on her office door and she knew it was one of the interns, anxious to start rounds with her. "I"m coming." Sakura tied her hair back in a messy ponytail, slipped on her white coat, and prepared for a busy day.
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Young Sasuke ran in circles around his mother, Mikoto. She had a soft smile on her face and an even softer look in her dark eyes as she watched over her youngest son. Itachi walked behind them next to his best friend and cousin Shisui carrying a box full of materials to assemble the lanterns.
Someone played the flute in a jaunty festive tune and several people were dancing. There weren't many children in the Uchiha clan —- Sasuke was the youngest, but there were only a half-dozen under the age of fourteen and that included Itachi. Give it ten more years and the old, bitter, war-ravaged generation would finally find peace while those born into a peaceful era under the Third Hokage's second tenure would come into their own time of leadership.
These were Itachi's thoughts at the time and Sakura's mind intuitively understood all this. It made the demise six months later, shortly after Sasuke's seventh birthday all the more terrible.
"What are you going to wish for, Mama?" Sasuke asked, looping back to his mother and taking her hand and holding it tight. He gazed up at her with a tenderhearted expression on his sweet chubby face.
"What can I wish for, Sasuke? I have everything I could ever hope for in you and your brother. What do you suggest?" Mikoto asked.
"Hmm, maybe Dad can come home for dinner more often? Or I can have a friend spend the night! Or Itachi can take me with him on his next trip?" Sasuke suggested. "Or, maybe you can teach me to play the flute?" He pointed towards the musician with his free hand. The jaunty song was over, a bittersweet melody drifted along. "I recognize that song, it's the one you used to sing me at bedtime."
"Would you like me to sing to you at bedtime again, son?" Mikoto asked.
Sasuke shook his head, a petulant frown marring his cute face. "No, Mama, I'm much too old for that. I'm an Academy student, not a little boy."
They reached the lakeshore and Itachi and Shisui set down their boxes and Sasuke scampered over. The older boys showed him how to assemble the small rafts and the three of them got to work. Mikoto joined her friends at the gazebo where refreshments and desserts were assorted into a colorful array.
The dream ended abruptly when Myoken cried out in his sleep. Sakura threw the covers off her bed and hurried to the nearby crib. Takashi opened his eyes to seemingly glare at his twin before turning his head in the opposite direction and going back to sleep.
Sakura scooped up her dark-haired, green-eyed boy and cuddled him close and he settled down immediately. While Takashi seemed to naturally self-sooth, Myoken preferred the reassurance of closeness. Most babies preferred the warm embrace of their mother — he was just like Sarada as a baby — though, her daughter did always seem to prefer Sasuke when there was a choice.
Her door opened a crack and Shizune, half asleep checked on her, silently asking if Sakura needed help. "I've got it, thanks," Sakura whispered and her friend gratefully went back to her room and crawled back into bed.
"I guess medics are used to waking up at the slightest sound and going back to bed like it's nothing when they aren't needed," Itachi said.
Sakura nodded in agreement, but said nothing. She sat back on her bed and when it became obvious that her son was hungry started to nurse him.
"Shinobi in general can wake up at the slightest of disturbances," Itachi continued, pointedly not looking at her. "Though, our hyperactive defense response makes it nearly impossible to fall back to sleep. I used to put my partners into trances and force them back to sleep. It was nice for them, but there was no one to do that for me, nor would I trust anyone to watch over me." He gestured towards his smooth face and the deep lines that marked his cheeks in life appeared once more. "These were brought on by stress and lack of sleep. Sasuke didn't have an easy life, but it was a little better than mine because he had you, Naruto, and Kakashi —- he was never truly alone. I am glad he inherited mother's face and not father's and these stress lines."
"The festival was beautiful." Sakura ran her fingers over Myoken's dark, fine hair while he started to drift back into sleep. "Thank you for sharing that memory with me. Sarada really looks just like Sasuke when he was little."
"I'm looking forward to seeing its revival," Itachi admitted. "It's strange. I was upset when Sasuke brought me back to this plane, but now I think I understand why. I feel very content most days. I don't know if it's the connection to my old eyes that are doing it. I feel my anchor is my connection to this family. Because Sasuke is in another realm and I still feel grounded."
"I hate that he's always carrying these burdens." Sakura carried her dozing infant back to his crib. Myoken settled onto his side, facing his twin. "He deserves to be here with us."
"That is the curse of being a shinobi." Itachi leaned down close to Takashi's sleeping form and attempted to blow a breath over the boy's pale hair. The dark blond curls shifted ever so faintly. Shocked, Itachi stepped back. "With the Five Great Ninja Villages in alliance and no longer fighting, there is no reason this generation cannot grow up in a time of peace, prosperity, and advanced science, technology, and the arts. Otherwise, what was it all for?"
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Naruto had insisted on monthly Team Seven dinners. Sakura was happy to let Shizune babysit and enjoy a few hours of just being — Sakura— and not matriarch of the growing Uchiha family. Naruto, Kakashi, and Sai all sat around the booth enjoying the family-style barbeque laid out before them.
"So, I know it's a few months away, but I want to re-start an Uchiha tradition at New Years— a lighting of lanterns on the lake," Sakura said.
"Oh?" Kakashi leaned forward in interest. "Interesting, I was thinking of restarting the village-wide New Year's Festival as well. The council has been on me to try and bring back some of the old celebrations. I've actually factored it into the annual budget at the last meeting."
"Who are you and what have you done with Kakashi Sensei?" Naruto asked, his eyes narrowed in suspicion. "That sounds like way more trouble that you'd put forth."
Kakashi did an eye crinkle. "Don't worry, Naruto, I plan to delegate all the details to you and Rock Lee!"
Naruto groaned. "That does sound like you.'
"What sort of celebrations?" Sai asked. "I would like to see fireworks. I have read about them, but not actually seen them."
"Oh man! It's been years since we've had fireworks! During the war there were so many shortages and everything was utilized for weaponry." Naruto leaned forward on the table eagerly. "Kakashi Sensei! I will make this happen! Sai needs fireworks!" He turned to his side where Sakura sat next to him. "What's the lighting of lanterns like? Did you just make that up?"
"Sasuke told me about it," Sakura explained. There was no way she was revealing Itachi showed it to her in a dream. "You make these lanterns out of rice paper and they float on the lake and you light a flame inside and make a wish or a goal for the new year. And there's food, music, flowers, and fairy lights twinkling all about and it's just a good excuse to enjoy a night under the stars with friends and family."
"That sounds expensive." Kakashi took a careful sip of his beer.
"Yeah, I'll have to figure out that part. But you're all invited when I do!" Sakura said. "I can pick up a few extra shifts at the hospital."
"I don't think that's a good idea. You're already overworked, Sakura-chan," Naruto worried.
"It would be worth it to create such precious memories." Sakura smiled at them, feeling excited about the idea. It wouldn't be that expensive. "If it's an annual event a lot of the expenses would really be more of a long-term investment. I'm sure Ino will cut me a deal on the flowers — Mom has an employee discount. The food can be a potluck sort of deal. I can assemble the lanterns myself."
"Or, you can let me pay for it," Kakashi offered, earning surprised looks from the three of them.
"You never pay for anything. You are a notorious cheapskate always stiffing us or Commander Yamato with the bill," Sai pointed out.
"I am the last of the Hatake clan, the heir of the estate." Kakashi's dark eyes swept over his companions almost bored.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Naruto asked. "You're an orphan like us?" He gestured between him and Sai. "Yeah, it's sad. But, we're your family now, Kakashi Sensei."
Kakashi rubbed his heel between his eyes. "While that's a very sweet sentiment, that's not my point. I leased back the land of my clan to the Fire Daimyo. It's been one of the largest acreages of farmland in the country. I earn twenty percent of the profits every year — since I was twelve years old and your father Minato convinced me to invest."
"So— you're rich?" Naruto squeaked. "Then why the hell are you always wearing the same boring clothes and reading the same ratty old books?"
"I have a sizable net worth." Kakashi ignored the other questions and smiled across the table at Sakura. "So, as one of your new neighbors, I would love to help with the expense of this Lanterns on the Lake tradition."
Sakura opened her mouth and snapped it shut, absolutely in shock at the unexpected generosity. "Thank you, Kakashi. "
He smiled back at her, his eyes crinkling in familiarity. "Well, I am the godfather of your sons. How could I deny them such a special tradition? It's my duty to create an environment of joy for the youth." He gestured towards the three of them. "Your children are the reason we made all those sacrifices."
"You know, Kakashi, you've been looking pretty cozy with your girlfriend. Maybe you should consider having children of your own," Sakura said, batting her eyes at her former teacher innocently. She'd seen how he and Yugao seemed to compliment one another.
"Don't push your luck, Sakura," Kakashi warned. "Not everyone is fated to be a parent. But that doesn't mean I don't care about your kids."
"I speak for all of us, Kakashi Sensei. We want you to be happy— you deserve to be happy," Sakura said.
Kakashi leaned forward, his silver eyebrows raised. "What makes you think I'm not? Though, I'll be happier when this one is the Hokage." He elbowed Naruto. "Then I can officially retire to my lake house and be the neighborhood old man."
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Three dresses were laid out across Sakura's bed. Not one of them fit and there was only a week until the New Years Festival. There would be a village wide festival down the main streets of Konoha followed by a more private event at the Uchiha Lake.
"Maybe I can borrow something from Hinata," Sakura mused. Sakura had always been frugal with her money, but while Sasuke had been in the village the last few years — he didn't seem to mind dropping hard won funds on expensive kimonos for her. Three times, she'd relented when he'd wanted to buy her an elegant dress. One was yellow with purple flowers, another dark blue with red cranes, and the final one was white with silver stars. Apparently, after three kids, the dresses were all a little too snug in the bosom.
Itachi strode over, peered over the three festive dresses. "While these are certainly nice, the white one most appropriate for a winter festival, I might have another solution. And later, you can have these altered to fit your new proportions." He looked over at her. "You can hardly expect to remain the slip of a girl you were at twenty your whole life."
"I'm listening." Sakura gathered up the dresses and tucked them back inside the closet. Sasuke had bought all three for her while they were living in Konoha. She'd never had a dress as nice— aside from what she wore to their beach wedding— but even that one hadn't been as elegant as these three. They always had the dress fitted and ready to go and Sasuke even had a couple of suits prepared, but when the time came, he never wanted to actually leave the house. The crowds of strangers made him uncomfortable and he hated small talk. Sakura never forced him and it was more important to spend time with him than a bunch of acquaintances. So she and Sasuke would dress up, dance in their bedroom, have a simple family dinner, and take Sarada for a walk down their empty neighborhood.
Though, she really hoped, maybe one day, Sasuke would feel comfortable enough to visit a festival and walk amongst the crowds with his family. Maybe he'd be able to enjoy a New Years Festival in their own neighborhood.
"If you'll ask Shizune to watch over the children." Itachi started down the hall. "They're all napping right now. I'll show you where my mother stored her dresses. She used an airtight cedar chest, so they should still be in good condition."
Half an hour later, they were inside Sasuke's childhood home. It wasn't her first time inside the residence. The furniture had been cleaned and polished and then carefully wrapped in plain white sheets. She'd already been through the library — taking the books that seemed most useful. The cedar chest was in the master bedroom.
"You'll have to use Earth chakra to forge a key to open it.." Itachi kneeled next to the large cedar chest eying the lock. "If you don't know how, you simply probe it with your chakra and in your minds' eye form the key."
"If it's that easy, why bother locking it if anyone could open it?" Sakura kneeled next to him started to mold her chakra.
"Well, it is easy for someone with perfect chakra control or with plenty of chakra reserves to waste. Earth is one of your affinities." He leaned back to observe.
With a quick click, the tumblers within the lock released. Sakura pushed up the lid and was surprised by the scent of lavender that waifed up at her. Wrapped inside a white cotton cloth several sprigs the herb had been left inside. There were a dozen kimonos inside — some the classic colors of the Uchiha clan, but there were also vibrant shades of pink, jade, cerulean blue, and a deep purple. She picked up the purple one — it had tiny pink flowers embroidered in the thick silk material.
"I suggest you use that monstrous strength of yours and take the whole trunk home." Itachi stood and brushed his hands over his legs, wiping off dust that wasn't there. "I think you'll find an assortment of sizes in those dresses — some before Sasuke and some after his birth — I remember mom lamenting about the change in her figure as well."
"You certainly were an observant kid." Sakura put the dress back and secured the lid. She picked up the heavy cedar chest and after carefully manuvering it out the room continued towards home.
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"I wish they had these devices when you were little," Kizashi said. He adjusted the straps of the dark blue baby carrier over his chest and rested one of his hands under Takashi's bottom. "I know he's secure but it makes me nervous, so I'll just keep one hand under him just in case— he's so small, what if he slips out?"
"He won't, trust me," Sakura assured him. She wore a dark blue kimono that had belonged to her mother-in-law with pale silver crescent moons. She had a similar baby carrier strapped over her chest and Myoken happily stared out at the world before him. At thirteen months old, he was finally becoming more interested in the world outside of his mother. Though, he had made the connection to the moons embroidered on her dress and the seal on his hand
"This is so exciting!" Mebuki crouched down to Sarada's height and adjusted the large red bow in her hair. Her daughter wore a dark blue kimono as well with red cranes — a gift from her godmother Lady Tsunade. "What do you want to try first, Sarada?"
"I don't know, Sofu. Auntie Ino said something about cotton candy. And Uncle said there are games where you can hunt rubber ducks out of small pools of water. I think I'd like to try both!"
"Uncle?" Mebuki paused in her bow tying.
"She's probably taking about Naruto or Kakashi," Sakura said, giving her daughter a warning look.
"You have to remember, Sarada, I'm a secret." Itachi folded his arms over his chest and stood between Sakura and her father. "Only your mommy and brothers can see me. We Uchiha must protect clan secrets."
"Or maybe I'll see a stray cat and catch it," Sarada added. She stared at Itachi for a moment and then stepped through him and took Sakura's hand. "Let's go, Mama."
The streets of Konoha were transformed into a winter wonderland. Naruto had utilized Hinata's experience with planning large events within the Hyuga clan and Rock Lee's enthusiasm. Almost every Genin team had contributed to making the festival come together — from decorating, to serving food, and running booths. Their Jonin teachers were certainly kept busy over the last few weeks in preparation and execution.
"I remember a time when Lord Fourth hosted the festival— there was only one celebration during his tenure," Kizashi said. "Your mom was seven month's pregnant with you, Sakura."
Sakura tried to remember if she'd seen Konoha like this before. She faintly remembered a time the year before she started the Academy. "I remember coming the winter before I started school."
"That's probably the only time you went," Itachi said, materializing in front of her and Myoken. He held his hand out towards the young boy and Myoken kicked his feet excitedly and reached for Itachi's phantom hand. "Lord Third did away with them after that. The council decided it was too expensive and encouraged foreigners who might take advantage of the festivities to seek intel." He turned towards the large Rabbit costumed performer juggling up ahead "Or maybe Danzo was scared of rabbits…."
"Who is that?" Sarada asked, pointed towards the costumed performer.
"I'm not sure." Sakura suspected it was Rock Lee given the amount of enthusiasm exhibited. "Would you like a closer look?"
"No thanks, it's a little disturbing." Sarada wrinkled her nose and tugged her grandmother towards one of the booths. "First cotton candy. Second rubber duckies."
"Oh, wait, Sarada! Naruto said there's a Photo booth— I'd like to get a family photo all dressed up before we get started," Sakura said. "It's just up ahead and to the right."
"I suppose, since I accidentally destroyed the last one I shouldn't complain," Sarada murmured.
"Cotton candy and rubber ducks afterwards," Sakura promised.
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"Are you sure this is how it goes together?" Naruto struggled on assembling his first rice paper lantern. Sakura had put together three to show him, Kakashi, Sai, and Ino how to make them. They were all seated near the lake's edge. Yamato had looked over the decayed and crumbling remains of the former gazebo and had created a magnificent structure that dwarfed the previous one. It was beautiful.
The children were at Sakura's house having a massive playdate - Hinata and her sister Hanabi watched over Boruto and Himawari. Sakura's parents and Shizune watched over the three Uchiha youth. Ino's mother watched over Ino and Sai's son.
"You know, I just want to point out what an amazing friend I am," Ino said, shifting uncomfortably. She was five months pregnant with a little girl. "Here I am, fat and pregnant, helping to put together these little boat toys and that's after I arranged the floral displays for this private party. Don't forget the Yamanaka Florist were also responsible for the big festival yesterday in the village proper."
"How can we forget?" Sai asked, having assembled his fifth boat. "You keep reminding us - and if you'll remember I helped you with that and even had a dozen Anbu operatives assigned to the project. All you had to do was point and shout out orders."
Sakura smiled at the red blush staining Ino's cheeks.
"On behalf of the Village, your contributions are both noted and appreciated, Lady Yamanaka," Kakashi said. He'd finished his eighth boat. He looked over at Naruto who was still struggling on his first one. "Okay, Naruto, watch carefully and do what I do." He went very slowly and assembled his ninth boat, making sure Naruto understood the technique.
"Oooooohhhh, I get it, Kakashi Sensei!" Naruto leaned over his boat pieces and with his tongue sticking out the corner of his mouth in deep concentration, finally completed his first. It was lopsided and not especially pretty, but it was sturdy enough and he looked so proud.
"Well done, Naruto! It gets easier with practice," Sakura assured him.
"How did you even know about this tradition?" Naruto asked. "Did Sasuke tell you about it? He never told me about it."
Circling the friends with his arms behind his back Itachi peered over at Naruto's completed boat. He snorted in amusement. "I wouldn't tell them your dead brother-in-law showed it to you in a dream. And frankly, Naruto's boat is better than some of the first ones Sasuke made — but then — little brother was about three at that time."
No sooner the words left his mouth that both Naruto and Kakashi stared in his general direction.
Itachi stepped back, but their gazes drifted back down to their work. Itachi crouched between the two and held his transparent hands in front of their faces, but they didn't react. "Curious."
"I have been digging around into some of the libraries kept in the residences — mostly Sasuke's old house and his cousin Shisui's old house." Sakura finished another boat and rubbed her hands wiping off the tiny paper debris. "There are all sorts of traditions documented. I'm having to use my imagination, but the descriptions are so clear sometimes it feels you can just fall into the pages and be there, you know?"
"If you allow me to read them, I could literally illustrate them for you," Sai offered.
"That—yes. I would like that." Sakura would love to see some of the things she'd read drawn-out. Itachi could show her a lot, but even he didn't know everything. He'd only been thirteen when everything changed.
"Oh! I have another delivery coming for you today, Sakura." Ino rubbed her hands together eagerly. "It's so pretty! Seriously, your man really is a romantic— I had no idea."
Sasuke might have been off-world, but his pre-planned romantic gestures helped sooth Sakura's aching heart. The fact that he'd arranged for multiple floral bouquets with personalized messages from her best friend's business, it just hit on so many levels.
"I'm looking forward to it." Sakura stared past her friends towards the lake. It was calm and the trees had lost their foliage, dormant for winter. Fairy lights twinkled in the branches and gave the scene a magical sense. And Ino hadn't skimped on the floral arrangements. "It really is beautiful here. Thank you all, for sharing this moment with my family."
"Thank you for including us, Sakura-chan," Naruto said. He held out another completed lantern boat and this one was perfect. "We are all your family and you are ours."
"The only thing missing is music," Itachi said. He started humming the same melancholic tune from the dream.
"Oh! I need to bring out the boys' record player. I bought some music for us to play," Sakura explained, starting to stand.
"You stay, I'll get it," Kakashi offered. "Let you young people catch up. I'm sure Shizune can help me find it." He passed by Sakura and reached down to tussle her hair playfully before ambling towards the house.
"Sometimes, I cannot believe he's the Hokage," Ino said, giggling as Sakura tried to straighten her hair. Her smile faded. "Asuma would have been so very proud of his friend."
"We're all proud of him," Sakura said. "He's really leading Konoha into the future — even if he has to fight the council and the daimyo tooth and nail." She reached over for Naruto and he took he hand. "And he's making sure that when it's your turn, you can really shine your hope on a brighter future."
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A/N: I know it's August, why a New Year's celebration? January 22, 2023 was the start of the Year of the Rabbit and my brother died at one in the morning the next day. Sasuke's back in the next chapter. The baby eyes and hair is pretty much how my kids are. They had these purple-blue eyes at birth —it was like looking into Heaven like they knew things. And their hair was black, but by six months they had icy blue eyes and dark honey blond hair. (I was trolling myself giving Takashi the silver hair like Kakashi but mostly because I wanted to show the Tobirama bloodline— those two just happen to have the Hatake Silver hair trait.)